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C. L. BUSOH.

HORSE BOOT.

.854. Patented Mar. 18, 1890.

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' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES L. BUSCII, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO IVALTER LEE, OF SAME PLACE.

HORSE-BOOT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 423,854, dated March 18, 1890.

Application filed September 16, 1889. Serial No. 324,069. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, CHARLES L. Boson, of the city and county of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improvement in Interfering Devices for Horses, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to interfering devices or trotting-balls for horses; and it consistsof certain improvements which are fully set forth in the following specification, and shown in the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof.

The object of my invention is to produce a convenient and efficient apparatus for the purpose of preventing the kicking or striking of a horse by itself during motion. Many v trotting-horses carry their feet closely together and during rapid motion are liable to strike one leg with the hoof of the other, often causing a serious injury. To prevent this, trotting-balls or interfering apparatus have been devised, which are attached upon one leg of the horse and are adapted to strike the other leg if the two legs are brought too close together. In this manner the horse to avoid having his leg constantly struck by the interfering device is compelled to carry his feet farther apart. I

It has been sought to, construct an interfering device consisting of a swinging part, which while the horse is motionless shall normally assume a perpendicular or approximately perpendicular position, but during the rapid motion of the horse shall be caused to swing out for the purpose of striking the leg. To this end a pendant of rubber or wooden balls has been employed loosely jointed in a perpendicular position to a strap secured to the leg of the horse. This loose joint, how ever, does not in practice accomplish the desired object effectively, as the tendency of the pendant secured in this manner is to swing in a perpendicular plane, and not out or away from the leg into an approximately horizontal plane, as is desired, and also to strike the leg to which it is attached, as well as the opposite leg, thereby confusing the horse.

' It is the object of my invention to overcome this fault by employing a striker or projecting portion so supported that during the motion of the horse it will of necessity swing in a substantiallyhorizontal plane and canments hereinafter more fully disclosed and described.

My invention furthermore consists of certain improvements in the construction and arrangement of the parts 'whereby greater efficiency of operation and economy of manufacture are obtained.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of my improved interfering device. Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view of the same, and Fig. 3 is an illustrative view showing the arrangement and operation of the same when attached to the horse.

A is a strapor band formed with a loop B at about its middle.

0 is a covering of flexible material-such as rubber tubing-inclosing the strap or band A and having an opening through which the loop B extends.

D are a series of balls of rubber or wood loosely strung upon the loop B to form the striker, and supported thereon by a pin or bit of leather or other material E, through which the loop B of the strap is passed. WVhile I prefer to form the striker in this manner by means of the wooden or rubber balls D, it is apparent that it may be formed in any other convenient manner and of any suitable material, as my invention is not in any way limited to the particular construction of the striker itself.

F is a pad or cushion secured to the flexible covering 0 and adapted to rest against the leg of the horse. I prefer to construct this pad F with a shield G, having an opening 9 at its center, and to arrange the flexible covering 0 and strap A between the pad and the shield, with the loop forming the striker extending through the hole g, in the manner shown in the drawings. This gives greater firmness and affords a better support for the striker. The pad is secured to the covering C by stitches c, the strap-A being free.

It is apparent that in place of making the flexible covering in one piece extending tar w through the pad, as shown,it may be made in two sections, each having its end secured to the pad by the stitches c 0.

II is a cushion or pad of soft material secured to the end of the covering 0 to protect the leg of the horse from contact with the buckle I upon the end of the strap A, by which the device is attached to the animal. The end of the strap A carrying the buckle I is secured to the flexible covering C by stitches 1?, and the strap from this point throughout its entire length is free. The advantages of this construction are manifold. The striker being formed on a part of the continuous strap A may be tightened or looscned and lengthened or shortened at will, and may be kept always projecting, so as not to depend and strike the leg which carries it. The tendency of the striker during the motion of the horse is to swing out into a horizontal plane, because at the opening 9 the least resistance is presented against this mo tion, or on the two sides where the force acts directly through the length of the strap A. By employing the outer covering 0 the strap A at no point comes into direct contact with the leg of the horse, so that the swinging of the striker does not produce a rubbing or chafing of the leg by reason of any motion that may be imparted to that portion of the strap encircling it, and the device may be tightly secured without inconvenience to the animal.

The apparatus is constructed without the use of metal, except for the buckle, and of fewer parts than are ordinarily employed, whereby it may be more economically manufactured and will possess greater durability.

I hold myself entitled to any variation or change in details which falls within the scope ofmy invention.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In an interfering device for horses, the combination of a leg-strap for attachment to the leg of the horse, and a guide-piece supported by said leg-strap, through which a portion of the leg-strap extends with freedom of motion, said leg-strap being passed through an opening in the guide-piece and forming a laterally-projecting striker, whereby the same maybe tightened to take up any slack therein by tightening the leg-strap passing through the guide-piece.

2. An interfering device for horses, consisting of a strap encircling the leg of the horse and having a portion of its length formed into a loop, and devices carried by said looped portion to form a laterally-projecting striker adapted to swing out and strike the other leg of the horse to prevent interfering.

3. In an interfering device, the combination of a tubular piece adapted to encircle the leg of a horse, a strap extending throughout said tubular piece and havinga swinging portion projecting through a hole in the side of said tubular piece, adapted to form a swinging striker to strike the other leg of the horse and prevent interfering, whereby said strap does not come directly in contact with the legs of the horse.

4c. In an interfering device, the combination of a tubular piece adapted to encircle the leg of a horse, a strap extending throughout said tubular piece and having a swinging portion projecting through a hole in the side of said tubular piece, adapted to forum swing ing striker to strike the other leg of the horse and prevent interfering, whereby said strap does not come directly in contact with the legs of the horse and pads carried by said tubular piece.

5. In an interfering device, the combination of a tubular piece adapted to encircle the leg of a horse, a strap extending throughout said tubular piece, attached to it at one end only, and having a swinging portion formed by a loop in the length of said strap.

CHARLES L. BUSCH.

Witnesses:

ERNEST HOWARD HUNTER,

'l. 'YEnKns. 

